Ph.D., Historical Theology concentration

Hometown: Asso, Kaduna, Nigeria
Denomination: Evangelical Church of West Africa
Career Goal: continue as theology professor in Nigeria

"I came to know Christ through the preaching of Pastor Bulus Yero," explains Th.M. student Joseph Dyaji. When the Holy Spirit impressed upon him "the need for biblical and theological lecturers for raising manpower for the church in my country," the Nigerian native attended the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) Theological Seminary in Jos. After earning a Diploma in Theology, a B.A. in Theology, and an M.A. in Theological Studies, he spent 17 years pastoring ECWA churches and teaching theology on the college and seminary level.

During those years of ministry, he began to desire further theological training. Joseph states three reasons that motivated him to leave home and continue his education at Westminster. He appreciated the Seminary's reputation for Bible-based training, "especially her emphasis in biblical languages. The "quality of faculty and staff" was another factor, he says, as "most of the professors are renowned scholars." Finally, he wanted solid instruction that would address "the contemporary, theological issues that the church of Christ is wrestling with nowadays."

In 2004, he earned his M.A.R. in Theological Studies from Westminster, and plans to complete the Ph.D. in Historical Theology soon. His goal is to return as a full-time professor to the ECWA seminary in Nigeria, where he has continued to lecture during his summer breaks from Westminster.

In addition to their three children, Anna, Joanna, and Samuel JepNum, Joseph and his wife, Esther, have welcomed into their family two orphans, Ezekiel and Grace.